Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Worthless Idols
Any idol worship going on in your household lately? Not that old fashioned Ninevite kind of idol worship, right? But, what about the more modern stuff: money, lust, power, appearances, busyness, etc. These ones don't sound quite so bad, but here's the spin on it, if you cling to these modern day idols, you're still missing out on God's best.
Are your eyes transfixed principally on finances and the fleeting promises of this world such as beauty, success, and ease? Watch out then because you'll miss out on God's grace. Jonah 2:8 says, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." But, you're thinking, "What's wrong with a bit of fun and relaxation? I can still have God's grace if I seek those things."
The truth is that those pursuits aren't bad, but when they're the focus of your life, rather than God, then they're considered idols. And once you know you've got idols in your life (which we all do), then it's time to clean house. Get rid of them because you're sinning if you hang on to them instead of onto God.
Are you seeking the easiest way or God's way? Are you searching for the quick fix for your life or God's best plan? Is there a short-cut that you're considering just because you're tired of feeling tired? Make sure your idol isn't the pursuit of plain old American "happiness" because you just might be missing out on a huge bowl of grace that God's trying to bless you with.
When we seek idols, we're not as willing to wait. We don't feel like we can take the harder path and we frequently give up on our own lives and even on our faith. Our idol can easily become that longing for an answer or a solution. But, if your eyes are on the answer or the worry rather than on God, then your eyes are out of focus. Remember to fix your eyes upon the Lord. Worship Him, not the stuff. Worship Him, not the idols all around you.
Even though Jonah idolized himself, thinking he was pretty darn self-righteous, God worked on his heart. Jonah thought he was too good to warn those sinful Ninevites about God's wrath, so he pursued his own will and fled to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh. Then, Jonah got thrown overboard into the sea and ultimately eaten up by a huge fish. God slowed him down and got his attention.
After prioritizing and getting his ducks in a row, Jonah realized he was totally in the wrong. God willingly gave Jonah a second chance. In His mercy, "...the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." You too can dump your idols overboard and get things right with God. He'll take care of you just like he took care of Jonah. Hopefully it won't involve fish-puke, but whatever the case, it will be worth it.
Are your eyes transfixed principally on finances and the fleeting promises of this world such as beauty, success, and ease? Watch out then because you'll miss out on God's grace. Jonah 2:8 says, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." But, you're thinking, "What's wrong with a bit of fun and relaxation? I can still have God's grace if I seek those things."
The truth is that those pursuits aren't bad, but when they're the focus of your life, rather than God, then they're considered idols. And once you know you've got idols in your life (which we all do), then it's time to clean house. Get rid of them because you're sinning if you hang on to them instead of onto God.
Are you seeking the easiest way or God's way? Are you searching for the quick fix for your life or God's best plan? Is there a short-cut that you're considering just because you're tired of feeling tired? Make sure your idol isn't the pursuit of plain old American "happiness" because you just might be missing out on a huge bowl of grace that God's trying to bless you with.
When we seek idols, we're not as willing to wait. We don't feel like we can take the harder path and we frequently give up on our own lives and even on our faith. Our idol can easily become that longing for an answer or a solution. But, if your eyes are on the answer or the worry rather than on God, then your eyes are out of focus. Remember to fix your eyes upon the Lord. Worship Him, not the stuff. Worship Him, not the idols all around you.
Even though Jonah idolized himself, thinking he was pretty darn self-righteous, God worked on his heart. Jonah thought he was too good to warn those sinful Ninevites about God's wrath, so he pursued his own will and fled to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh. Then, Jonah got thrown overboard into the sea and ultimately eaten up by a huge fish. God slowed him down and got his attention.
After prioritizing and getting his ducks in a row, Jonah realized he was totally in the wrong. God willingly gave Jonah a second chance. In His mercy, "...the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." You too can dump your idols overboard and get things right with God. He'll take care of you just like he took care of Jonah. Hopefully it won't involve fish-puke, but whatever the case, it will be worth it.
Labels: fish puke, idols, Jonah
